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Weston High Football Upends Pomperaug

WESTON, Conn. – Weston's Tyler Hassett and Justin Schaffer accounted for nearly 300 yards of total offense in the Trojans’ history-making 22-21 victory over Pomperaug in football Friday. The final three yards were the most critical.

Hassett tossed the game-winning conversion pass to Schaffer with 4:48 to play to give Weston (3-0) the win over Pomperaug for the first time since 1990. Weston football teams lost 54 straight games to Pomperaug at varsity, junior varsity and freshman levels before Friday’s win, Athletic director Mark Berkowitz said.

“We practice that play a lot,’’ said Hassett, who ran for one touchdown and threw for two more. “It was just a fake a little dish off. I knew it was going to work.”

Weston built a 14-0 lead in the first half, fell behind in the fourth quarter but fought back with the game-winning drive. Hassett tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Thomas McGlone to bring Weston within 21-20. It was only the third catch of the year for him.

“He’s a kid that has worked hard, has been the first one in the weightroom and waited for his moment,’’ coach Joe Lato said.

A shoulder injury to kicker Zach Cannon last week forced the Trojans to go for the two-point conversion, Lato said. Hassett missed the kick conversion after Weston’s first touchdown.

“We thought if we practiced on going for two-point conversions it would balance out,’’ Lato said. “We actually worked on two-point plays in practice on Thursday.”

For the winning conversion, Hassett faked two hand-offs and rolled right to an open Schaffer, who slipped out of the backfield. The pair hooked up five times for 81 yards on the evening. Hassett finished 10-for-14, passing for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 86 yards and scored Weston’s first touchdown on a 13-yard run. Hassett’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Erik Dammen-Brower and two-point conversion pass to Schaffer made it 14-0 in the second quarter.

Weston’s offense stalled in the second half, and Pomperaug scored on three straight possessions. A long kickoff return by Hassett set up the game-winning drive. Weston’s defense held Pomperaug without a first down on the Panthers’ final two drives.

“We marked this game down in the beginning of the season,’’ Hassett said.  “If we wanted to be for real, we had to beat them. This win proves we can beat anyone.”

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